The ghost town Capitol City, CO lies high up in the remote mountains beyond Lake City. It’s accessible in late spring, summer and fall from Lake City via Engineer Pass Road.
There are only two original buildings still left in town, the old U.S. Post Office and Lee’s Smelter Stack. You can also find evidence of some outbuildings and brick kilns amongst the forest. There are private homes and private land around the townsite.
History
As its name hints at, Capitol City’s founder wished for it to become the capital of Colorado. George Lee started the town in 1877, originally called Galena City. At its peak, it, however, only had a population of around 800 people. He would later change the name to Capitol City as he dreamed of becoming the state’s governor.
He built a beautiful home here with brick hauled from Pueblo at $1 per brick. It had a gorgeous living room, theater with an orchestra pit and a few guest ballrooms. In addition to his house, he built the Henson Creek smelter and sawmill.
The original 200 acre townsite had everything needed, including a few hotels, restaurants, bars, a post office, schoolhouse, houses, a sawmill and mining smelters. The richest year was in 1877, when the town boasted a population of 800. When the cost of silver dropped, so did the residents. Lawsuits and difficult transportation also sped up the town’s downfall.
Getting There
From Lake City – It’s located on Engineer Pass, which is part of the 4×4 Alpine Loop, a national scenic byway. However, you can access this ghost town from Lake City with just 2WD. Take County Road 20/Henson Creek/Engineer Pass Road west out of Lake City for nine miles until you reach the townsite.
Details
Nearby Towns: Lake City
County: Hinsdale
Roads: 2WD
Season: Summer, Fall